University of Missouri School of Medicine group pushes for reinstatement of dean

A faculty group at Columbia-based University of Missouri School of Medicine wrote a letter asking for former dean Patrick Delafontaine, MD, to be reinstated, according toThe Associated Press.

Though he remained at the school to research and teach, Dr. Delafontaine resigned in September. In response to the letter, he said he is "very grateful for the support that so many of the faculty have shown [him]," according to the Columbia Daily Tribune.

The Faculty Affairs Council sent the letter to the Board of Curators Nov. 9. The letter is based on a survey the council conducted in which it asked nearly 300 faculty members their opinions on the medical school's recent leadership changes. Most of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Dr. Delafontaine should be reinstated.

University of Missouri Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, PhD — who announced his resignation Nov. 9 — said Dr. Delafontaine resigned due to unspecified issues during his tenure.